CINCINNATI (AP) – A county judge in Ohio vowed Thursday to shield jurors’ identities and prevent distractions during the murder retrial of a white police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black motorist.
Judge Leslie Ghiz also reiterated she is determined to seat a jury in Hamilton County, where she is based and Cincinnati is located, saying she doesn’t think moving the trial is in anyone’s best interests.
County Prosecutor Joe Deters voiced support in November for moving the retrial after suggesting intense local attention helped lead to a hung jury in the case of former University of Cincinnati Officer Ray Tensing, charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter.
Ghiz earlier imposed a gag order in the case. Jury selection is scheduled to begin next Thursday.
Ghiz warned journalists against photographing or recording jurors and said she won’t release their answers on lengthy questionnaires until after trial. She vowed to “protect the integrity” of the proceedings.
